Canal recovery in Sylhet goes on in snail's pace
Sheikhghat in Sylhet city narrowed down due to encroachment by grabbers, above, and Telikhal Chhara changed its course following erection of a wall after filling up of a portion of the watercourse.Photo: STAR
Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) resumed its drive to reclaim 11 canals and natural streams in the city from the grip of encroachers in the third week of October. But the drive is progressing at a snail's pace, according to townspeople. The SCC officials suspended the drive in the first week of July this year as illegal grabbers stood on the way, they said. The authorities, however, put the blame on excessive rain and bad weather for the 'temporary suspension' of works that time. "About 30 percent of works have been completed and we expect to complete the work by the end of current fiscal year," said Nur Azizur Rahman, chief engineer (Acting) of Sylhet City Corporation a few days ago. Already they have reclaimed a good part of some of the canals and streams-Mugnichhara, Dubi Chhara, Goalichhara and Malnichhara, the official claimed. The SCC began the Tk 11 crore project in April this year. Finance minister AMA Muhith, also the lawmaker from the constituency, formally inaugurated the project. Under the programme, 1450 boundary pillars, 1200 metre RCC wall, 1000 metre guard wall and four box culverts were to be erected for reclaiming the natural canals and streams in the city which once used to help water flow to the Surma River. But shortly afterwards, the illegal grabbers created obstacles while some of the ward councillors took stance in support of the grabbers, alleged officials and city dwellers. Consequently, the city corporation officials suspended works at places and withdrew their bulldozers and other equipment from the sites, they said. Even after a moderate rainfall, most of the areas in the city go under water, as rainwater cannot easily pass through the narrow drains and canals and indiscriminately dumped wastes block up most of the drains, said SCC officials. Illegal encroachment and grabbing of banks of the streams and canals by influential people during the last three decades made the situation worse, said a city dweller requesting anonymity. "Even after a moderate rainfall, almost half of the city streets at Shahjalal Uposhahar, Hawapara, Agpara, Zatarpur, Subhanighat, Rainagar, Sheikhghat, Bhatalia, Bilopar, Pimahalla, Khasdabir, Dargah Mahalla, Jhalopara, Station Road, Bangabir Road, Kadamtali, Kanishail, Nabab Road, and Dakshin-Bagbari go under knee-deep water, causing immense sufferings to the pedestrians and city dwellers," said Faizur Rahman Khosru of Shahjalal Uposhahar. A number of busy city roads go under water even after light to moderate rainfall due to lack of proper drainage system. This happens as banks of almost all the natural streams and canals in the city have been narrowed by the grabbers. Many of them had already built multi-storeyed buildings and commercial establishments, he added. SCC Mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran said although there were some problems at places, they are hopeful to continue the programme. "Water logging problem would be resolved to a great extent this time if we can implement the programme," the mayor added.
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